Boy Dies After Contracting Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba in Sea of Galilee
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
A 9-year-old Israeli boy has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection after swimming in the Sea of Galilee. Health officials confirmed the death and issued warnings about preventing water from entering the nose while swimming in freshwater.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 9-year-old boy died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection.
- The infection was contracted after swimming in the Sea of Galilee.
- Health Ministry confirmed the amoeba type and the boy's death.
- The amoeba is rare, with under 500 global cases reported.
- Officials advise precautions to prevent water entering the nose while swimming.
A 9-year-old boy has died from a rare infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, two and a half weeks after being hospitalized in serious condition. The Ministry of Health confirmed the death on Thursday, stating the child passed away at Rambam Medical Center. He had been admitted with encephalitis, placed under sedation, and on a respirator in the intensive care unit.
An epidemiological investigation revealed the boy had been swimming in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) at Kursi Beach about a week before his hospitalization. Health Ministry labs confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This amoeba is extremely rare, with fewer than 500 cases reported worldwide. In Israel, three cases have been diagnosed in recent years.
The amoeba is typically found in warm, freshwater sources. Infection can occur when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, potentially reaching the brain. The Ministry of Health emphasized that the disease is not contracted by drinking water and is not transmitted from person to person.
Health officials advise avoiding getting water in the nose while swimming in warm freshwater, especially when jumping, diving, or submerging the head. Stirring up the bottom in shallow water, where the amoeba might be more concentrated, should also be avoided. While rare, the disease can progress rapidly. Symptoms such as fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness after exposure to warm freshwater require immediate medical attention, and doctors should be informed of the water exposure.
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